Fort Washington Periodontics

One of the most common periodontal treatments is scaling and root planing. This is also known as "conventional periodontal therapy," "non-surgical periodontal therapy," or "deep cleaning." The goal is to remove dental plaque and its products (like calculus) that cause inflammation.

Care to guess the name of the mildest form of gum disease? If you guessed gingivitis, you're right. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, you may be developing gingivitis.

Calculus, or tartar, consists of calcium phosphate salt. Deposits of tartar on the teeth carry harmful bacteria, which can lead to infection. Brush, floss and make regular dentist appointments.

As long as people have been around, periodontal problems have, unfortunately, been right there. Whether it was the Ancient Greeks, the Ancient Romans, or Europeans in the Middle Ages, a bunch of civilizations had various remedies and preventions for periodontal diseases.

Researchers believe there is a connection between periodontal disease and diabetes, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Severe gum disease can increase blood sugar, which means people with periodontal disease and diabetes can have higher risks of complications.

Did you realize some foods help protect the mouth from tooth decay and gum disease? Although the research is ongoing, dairy products, like some cheeses, and dark chocolate (without all the sugar), help keep bacteria under control.

A periodontist will make sure to figure out exactly what state your gums and support system are in. This will include checking your gums with a probe to check the depth of spaces, and possibly x-rays to observe the bone below the gum line.

Even perfect teeth can have problems with no support structure. That's where a periodontist comes in. Periodontology deals specifically with the support structure of teeth (such as gums and bones), and any disease or conditions that affect that support structure.

If you suffer from excessive gum length and feel that your smile is too gummy, then a dental crown-lengthening procedure can help. Balancing gum tissue with tooth appearance can be accomplished through this periodontal process.

Do you ever notice red on your toothbrush or in the sink after you brush your teeth? While occasional bleeding gums may be nothing to worry about, they could point to gingivitis.

Let's see how much you know about periodontics: According to the experts, what percentage of Americans older than 30 years has gum disease? If you guessed almost half (47.2 percent), you're right.

There are many different ways in which periodontal or gum disease can be treated. These include special cleanings such as scaling and root planing and root surface debridement. More extensive gum problems can also be surgically treated.

When gum disease has resulted in the loss of one or more teeth, dental implants can be used to hold a tooth in place. Dental implants can be the answer when gum disease or an accident has resulted in lost teeth.